Chengdu

It's not often that you can call a Chinese megacity 'leafy', but Chengdu is exactly that: spacious, plenty of green spaces and voted 2nd most liveable city in China. Take a bicycle down hibiscus lined streets to visit the serene Wenshu temple and try tasty guango hot pot, a local favourite.

1/6Pretty Chengdu, ‘the Land of Abundance’, lies on the Jin River and offers 72-hour visa free stays for citizens of 45 countries

2/6Chengdu’s Qintai Street is an ancient Chinese street that’s retained its traditional charm in the face of the city’s modernisation

3/6Visit the Dujiangyan, an ancient irrigation system on Chengdu’s plain constructed in 256 BC

4/6Explore the Du Fu Thatched Cottage in Chengdu Park, a 24-acre museum that honours the great Tang Dynasty poet

5/6Meet some of Chengdu’s most famous residents at the Giant Panda Research Centre

Things to do

Things to do

We've chosen the must-see highlights of this fantastic city.

Drink

Shunxing Old Teahouse

For a more sophisticated teahouse experience, head to Shunxing Old Teahouse on the third floor of the International Convention and Exhibition Center, a building modelled on Ming and Qing architectural styles. The carved wood windows and the dragon pillars of a small stage in the dining room evoke an old-world atmosphere. Take a seat at one of the big square tables, order some Sichuan dim sum and a pot of tea, and while away a relaxing afternoon in Chengdu style. From time to time, the teahouse stages Sichuan opera, traditional comic dialogue, singing and acrobatics performances. Another eye-catching act is kung fu tea-pouring, a skill lying somewhere between martial arts and dance.

If you prefer a quiet time try Chanson Saloon, arguably the best book café in Chengdu, providing a stylish setting of red brick walls, books and paintings. Spend an entire day reading with soft music in the background.

Built at about the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and formerly called Shaocheng, Renmin Park is the most famous of the city's green spaces, and once housed six teahouses. Shaded by mat awnings that are woven with vines on top, people come here to chat, play board games or watch the birds. Adding to the boisterous feel are snack vendors, shoe-shiners and fortune-tellers who come and go. There are even "ear scrapers" who – equipped with a handful of small gadgets such as metal tweezers and tongs – will clean out earwax for 20 yuan.

Lan Kwai Fong Chengdu is a magnet for trendsetters, party revellers and high-income earners. Situated on lowland overlooking Jinjiang River, the site used to be an obscure shanty town. It was inspired by Hong Kong's Lan Kwai Fong, the famous area of bars and restaurants in the city's financial district. Chengdu's government invited Allan Zeman, chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Holdings Limited, to replicate the success of the Hong Kong original. Since its inception in December 2010, Lan Kwai Fong Chengdu has become the liveliest entertainment district in the capital – and is 18 times bigger than its Hong Kong counterpart.

Throngs of patrons pay a few yuan for a pot of tea so they can enjoy a leisurely few hours with friends. Among the most popular is Shaocheng Teahouse in Renmin Park, located on a lakeside gallery lined with trees. It is perennially peppered with some 100 square tables and chairs.

Please note that for online bookings, infants under two will not occupy their own seat. To book an infant-occupied seat, or if your infant turns two during your trip, please contact your local reservations office.